Tikka T3 rechamber in 6mm Remington?

[M1key]

I am considering reaming out my Tikka T3 in 243 to chamber 6mm Remington. I am hoping to achieve longer barrel life and better load flexibility.

It sure looks like it would work. Action is long enough, ejection port large enough, magazine is long enough, and bolt face/extractor is virtually the same diameter (+/- .001).

Anyone ever try this?

M

 

[Jim Watson]

A 6mm Remington reamer will not "clean up" a .243 Win chamber.

You would have to set back the barrel a good deal to do it, maybe farther than the taper allows.
Or replace the barrel.

While I like the 6mm, the gain would be small.

 

[viking499]

A 6.5x55 would extend barrel life........

 

[M1key]

Well, I've owned a few 6mms in my day, but sold them when I needed the money. I still have buckets of 6mm brass and a shelf full of bullets. Just not enamored of the 243 anymore. Guess I'll try to sell it and build a 6mm. Wish Remington would introduce the Sendero in that caliber...fat chance.

M

 

[Outlaw Man]

I understand your preference for 6mm. I've been considering a Remington 700 in 243 for this very same project (as the 6mms are a little hard to find....and it seems like fun). Barrel replacement is what I found through my limited research, too. I saw where a couple people had done as Jim mentioned, but they probably had heavy barrels.

Good luck with your search.

 

[MarshallDodge]

A re-barrel would be the direction I would head or maybe find a lightly used Remington 700 VLS. I had one in 6mm that I regret selling. You could try a local gunsmith or send it to Pac Nor. I think Bergara will rebarrel as well.

 

[viking499]

Seems like a remember seeing a 6mm at a LGS about a month or so ago. Will try to remember where.........

 

[M1key]

Local shop owner/hunter/varminter thinks I should give the 6mm Ackley Improved a go. It should "clean up" the 243 chamber...

Might give it a consideration over rebarreling if it works.

M

 

[dvdcrr]

What is the magazine length on your tikka?

 

[M1key]

Tikka uses a long action. The 6mm Rem cartridge seems to fit the magazine and clear the well just fine. Not sure about the "improved" dimensions though.

M

 

[NCsmitty]

Yes, the 6mm AI should clean up a 243 Win chamber, and gain a decent boost in velocity with some slow powders.


NCsmitty

 

[243winxb]

6mm AI does not = longer barrel life

 

[Uncle Mike]

You don't have enough shank...can't be done.

 

[CB900F]

M1key;

I'll vote to rebarrel the Tikka also. The 6mm is enough of an advantage over the .243 to make it worthwhile in my opinion. If I remember correctly, the Tikka uses the same threads as does Winchester & perhaps some others too. Therein lies the possibility for a take-off swap & saving some money. OTOH, coming up with a take-off 6mm barrel may be a trick to keep you busy for awhile. But I'd be very leery of just trying to ream the barrel out. The .243 is based on the .308 brass & the 6mm is based on the 7X57 Mauser. There's a lot more taper on the Mauser & that means a considerable barrel set-back to re-ream. And that starts bringing the front of the chamber and/or throat into the area that's not full diameter, which would give me gray hairs if I didn't already have a full complement.

900F

 

[M1key]

Thanks CB. Rebarreling to 6mm may well be the best option.

Thanks for everyones input so far...

M

 

[CountryUgly]

The 6mm Rem has become my "go to" hunting caliber. It clearly dogs the .243 on every level. However if you go straight 6mm Rem I'll have to go with the rebarrel option as mentioned above. With the 6mm AI your 'smith hit the nail on the head since the AI straightens the taper and improves shoulder angle and honestly in your position the AI variant is the direction I'd go. It's a fantastic all around (varmint/Med game) round.